Monday, November 3, 2025

Political Gumbo: Just Win, Baby

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Last week the City filed a lawsuit to compel UCLA football to honor its lease with the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium.

As of now, the Bruins are legally obligated to play home games in the Rose Bowl until 2044.

According to the lawsuit, officials at the school have notified the Rose Bowl that they were done with the stadium. Rumors abound that the team wants to play in SoFi.

Internet posts point to the 27 miles from the campus to the Rose Bowl, and the difficulties getting to the Rose Bowl.

It’s about 10 miles less to SoFi in Inglewood.

There is no buyout clause and according to the lawsuit, the agreement contains a non-compete clause that prohibits UCLA from playing home games anywhere else in Southern California for the most part.

The mouthpieces can argue over the legalities.

Instead, I offer this.

Moving to SoFi or any other stadium will not solve the Bruins’ problems.

Sunday, November 2, 2025

A Sequel Better than the First

By EDDIE RIVERA

Dodgers defeat Toronto, 5-4, in heroic fashion, to win their second consecutive World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers have defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 5–4. Finally. 

It was an improbable victory and a perfect Hollywood sequel that, like so few sequels, was better than the first. It was a blockbuster filled with stars on both sides and crazy with heroes. And no bad guys. 

The noise at Rogers Centre was deafening before it went silent. Eleven innings of tension and talent, of moments meant for myth, had built to a single swing. When Will Smith turned on a 2-0 slider and sent it screaming into the Blue Jays’ bullpen, the Dodgers didn’t just take the lead — they took a deep breath that had been held for 25 years. 

The Dodgers’ 5–4 victory in Game 7 of the World Series delivered what baseball hadn’t seen since the turn of the millennium: a repeat champion.

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Even California’s Iconic Industries Are Cutting Back In This Sluggish Economy

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

As Gov. Gavin Newsom ramps up what appears to be a 2028 White House bid, a mainstay of his pitch during television interviews and social media appearances is California’s economy.

As Newsom tells it, the state’s $4-trillion-plus annual economic output is not only the fourth largest in the world, were it a nation, but it’s a model of entrepreneurial vigor and programs advancing equity.

Were it only true.

A year ago, the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, indirectly blew the whistle on Newsom’s braggadocio.

“California’s economy has been in an extended slowdown for the better part of two years, characterized by a soft labor market and weak consumer spending,” Petek wrote while outlining the state’s deficit-ridden budget dilemma.

“While this slowdown has been gradual and the severity milder than a recession, a look at recent economic data paints a picture of a sluggish economy. Outside of government and health care,

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Pasadena Village Partners with Pharmacy for Free Community Vaccine Clinic

Multi-vaccine event targets older adults with flu, COVID-19 and other immunizations

Pasadena Village will host a free vaccine clinic Nov. 19, Wednesday, in partnership with Webster’s Community Pharmacy.

The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2333 Lake Ave. in Altadena.

Multiple vaccines will be available, including flu shots and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

Adults 65 and older can also receive their vaccines, Pasadena Village said.

“This is a perfect opportunity to get your flu shot, the latest COVID vaccine, or other recommended vaccines including Tetanus, RSV, Shingles, and Pneumonia for adults 65 and older,” the statement said. “Stop by and protect your loved ones!”

The event is open to all community members at no cost.

Pasadena Village organized the clinic to make immunizations more accessible. Walk-ins are welcome during the three-hour window.

Those interested can register online at https://www.pasadenavillage.org/events/4044-vaccine-clinic/event_participations/new.

Questions can also be directed to Webster’s Community Pharmacy at (626) 797-1163.

Friday, October 31, 2025

SNAP Disruption Spurs County Food Aid Expansion for Pasadena Residents

As the federal government shutdown continues to delay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Los Angeles County officials are expanding emergency food support services, with expanded access for Pasadena residents.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger issued a formal statement Thursday in response to a federal court order directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resume SNAP funding. While she welcomed the ruling, Barger cautioned that the decision would not bring immediate relief.

“While today’s court decision ordering the USDA to restart SNAP funding offers hope, the reality is that families won’t see immediate relief,” Barger said. “Many residents are still struggling to put food on the table as the federal shutdown continues to strain household budgets.”

To address the gap, Barger said the County has mobilized local resources and community partnerships to ensure continued access to emergency food and nutrition assistance. She encouraged residents in need to call 2-1-1 or visit lacounty.gov for information on available services.

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank,

Friday, October 31, 2025

Pasadena Unified School District Budget Committee Completes Ranking of School Service Cuts

Pasadena Unified facing $30-35 million in reductions; Board to vote Nov. 20

The Pasadena Unified School District’s Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee concluded months of difficult deliberations Wednesday, delivering rankings that chart a path toward $30 million to $35 million in budget cuts for 2026-27 that the District must make. The rankings were released Thursday night.

PUSD needs to cut the millions from its budget for the 2026-27 school year to address a major structural deficit and avert insolvency.  Failure to make these reductions could trigger a takeover by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) as soon as January 2026.

The committee ranked school-based service reduction packages totaling up to $20 million, prioritizing cuts to career technical education programs, athletics and family engagement services as most acceptable. The remaining $10 million to $15 million in cuts will come from seven other concurrent workstreams focused on central office operations and contracts.

The Board of Education will review the recommendations at a Nov.

Friday, October 31, 2025

Two Federal Judges Ordered the USDA to Resume SNAP Food Payments

STAFF REPORT

In separate rulings issued Friday, U.S. District Judges Indira Talwani of Massachusetts and John McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to tap into $5.3 billion in contingency funding to continue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments, despite the ongoing federal shutdown. Both judges gave the agency until Monday to determine how it will comply.

The decisions came just hours before the Nov. 1 deadline, when SNAP benefits for nearly 42 million Americans were scheduled to lapse. Talwani, ruling from Boston, said it was “hard to understand how this isn’t an emergency” given the scale of need and the existence of a fund designed for crises. McConnell’s ruling echoed that sentiment, finding the administration’s refusal to use the fund likely unlawful and harmful.

The USDA has argued that the contingency fund cannot cover the full $8.5 billion to $9 billion needed for monthly SNAP disbursements. Officials also warned that even if compelled to act,

Friday, October 31, 2025

CHP: Drive Safe, Sober on Halloween, or Consequences Could Be Scary

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Police, sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers will be on the lookout for anyone who drives after imbibing alcohol or taking other intoxicants during Friday’s Halloween celebrations

With kids out trick or treating, the need for safety is paramount, authorities say.

The CHP announced that a 12-hour maximum enforcement period, or MEP, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Friday, during which all available officers will deploy onto freeways, highways and unincorporated roads throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties, and statewide, to nab DUI suspects and other lawbreakers.

“Impaired driving destroys lives, and even one life lost is one too many,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. “This Halloween, we’re asking everyone to do their part before the festivities begin, arrange a sober ride and help us keep California’s roads safe for everyone who uses them.”

During the agency’s 2024 Halloween MEP, there were about 500 crashes in the CHP’s jurisdictions statewide, with nearly 100 of those caused by drunk or drugged motorists.

Friday, October 31, 2025

Unions Brace for Tough Talks as PUSD Budget Crisis Deepens

By EDDIE RIVERA

As the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) moves toward a November 20 deadline to identify deep budget cuts, the district’s two largest unions say they are preparing for tough, uncertain talks — and hoping to protect both jobs and the identity of local schools.

Jonathan Gardner, president of United Teachers Pasadena, said his members have yet to receive any concrete proposals from the district.

“We haven’t been asked to be flexible,” he said. “There have been zero proposals that have come our way.”

Still, Gardner said the union remains open to discussion.

“We would consider everything in its time,” he added. “But without a clean, clear proposal that we can agree to, we would never want to speed the process up just for some arbitrary cutoff.”

The looming decisions could reshape the district. Teachers worry that limiting cuts to central administration could shift the financial burden to individual school sites, eroding student programs and community identity.

Friday, October 31, 2025

Norton Simon Museum to Mark 50th Anniversary With Free Celebration Weekend

Three-day event features live music, art activities and gold-themed exhibitions

Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena will open its doors free to the public Nov. 7-9 to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The three-day event features live music and art-making activities. Visitors can explore two special exhibitions: “Gold: Enduring Power, Sacred Craft” and “Retrospect: 50 Years at the Norton Simon Museum.”

The museum is waiving admission fees for the weekend celebration. All activities are designed for visitors of all ages.

No reservations are required. Events begin Friday and continue through Sunday at the museum, located at 411 W. Colorado Blvd.

The museum opened in 1975 after industrialist Norton Simon assumed leadership of the financially troubled Pasadena Museum of Modern Art. His vast “museum without walls” – artworks previously on loan to institutions worldwide – finally assembled within permanent walls.

Simon built one of the world’s greatest private art collections over 30 years. He began collecting in the 1950s with works by Degas,